After police interviewed Matthew Nault, 36, about missing drugs and cash in one of the teacher's rooms at the school, he confessed in a statement to taking both.

The teacher, who administers the prescriptions to the students during the school day, told police she had realized the prescriptions were needing to be refilled sooner than they should be.

Nault, who had recently starting working at the school as a custodian, was apologetic in his statement, telling police, "I would never have thought myself capable of such acts and I am absolutely mortified by my behavior. I know the difference between right and wrong. I chose the wrong and am truly sorry and embarrassed."

He will serve 45 days in jail and a year of probation if he fulfills the terms of a court order which would delay the sentence for a year.

However, if he abides by the conditions, including compensating the victims, and does not commit any new crimes, the state will reduce the felony charge to a misdemeanor.

Police Chief Bob Hasch said the issue is very sensitive, given the details of the case.

"The school was very prompt in coming to us with addressing their concerns. We responded rapidly and were glad, as always, to work with the school. We were obviously very concerned due to the nature of this case and we handled it as rapidly as possible. The suspect was apologetic for the crime and we were glad to help the victims by dealing with the issue," Hasch said in a statement.

WMTW News 8 has reached out to Boothbay Region's superintendent for comment.